Global Species Conservation Programmes
White rhino are the second-largest land mammal after blue whales, and their name comes from the Afrikaans word “wyd” which means wide and refers to the animal’s wide mouth. They lack front teeth and use their large lips like a lawnmower to pluck short grass.
The majority (98%) of the southern white rhinos occur in just four countries: South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya. Southern white rhinos were thought to be extinct in the late 19th century, but in 1895 a small population of fewer than 100 individuals were discovered in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. After more than a century of protection and management, they are now classified as Near Threatened and around 18,000 animals exist in protected areas and private game reserves. They are the only one of the five rhino species that are not endangered.
White rhino have complex social structures and groups, of sometimes a dozen cows and calves, may form. Adult bulls defend territories that they scent mark with sprayed urine and dung piles. Cows and calves move freely through bulls’ territories. Bulls competing for a cow may engage in serious conflict that is accompanied by snorting calls and using both their horns and massive size when fighting. Rhino love to wallow in a muddy pool, often for hours. Wallowing is cooling in the heat and covers their body in mud that, when dry, is then rubbed off on rubbing posts removes external parasites such as ticks. Mud also assists with camouflage and acts as a sunscreen.
Brought back from the brink of extinction once before in 1900, now poaching for their horns now threatens the species again. Horns are believed in some Asian countries to have medicinal benefits and they are carved to create expensive dagger handles sold in the Middle East. Figures of 500 or more rhinos being poached each year are not unusual.
Rhino contribute significantly to economic growth and sustainable development through the tourism industry, which creates job opportunities and provides significant tangible benefits to local communities living alongside the rhino. Supportive community members often report poaching threats to law enforcement agencies. The key focus is on protecting remaining wild populations through monitoring, anti-poaching, and the removal of horns. An armed war against poachers is being fought daily by brave rangers, often with trained detection dogs.
Every year rhino are moved from safe breeding populations to establish new populations in private and government reserves where their security can be guaranteed.
Zoos globally provide significant funding and research for rhino conservation programmes for all five rhino species. In addition, zoos have provided animals for release in several countries where they have become extinct e.g., Uganda and Rwanda.
Red pandas, like giant pandas, are bamboo eater’s native to Asia’s high forests. Despite these similarities and their shared name, the two species are not closely related. Red pandas are much smaller than giant pandas and are the only living member of their taxonomic family. Genetic studies show that red pandas are an ancient species amongst the carnivores and are probably most closely related to the group that includes skunks, raccoons and weasels.
Red pandas can be easily identified by their unique red coat colour, which acts like camouflage within the canopy of fir trees where branches are covered with clumps of reddish-brown moss and white lichens. Red pandas live in high-altitude, temperate forests with bamboo understories in the Himalayas and other high mountains including mountains in Burma and parts of China.
Red Panda populations have decreased by half in recent years, and they are now classified as endangered. Zoos internationally have formed a global species breeding programme for the species and our red pandas belong to this breeding programme. As with many species half of all red pandas borne are males but only one individual male is required to breed and ensure their genetics are represented in the global population. To enable this some zoos must agree to hold excess males only and this is the role we play in the breeding programme.
Our red pandas play a valuable role as ambassadors for their species and during the ever-popular encounters our visitors learn a lot more about red pandas and hopefully fall in love with them and wildlife generally.
The Red Panda Network is committed to the conservation of wild red pandas and their habitat through the education and empowerment of local communities in Nepal and are funded by international agencies including the zoo network.
The planet’s fastest land animal is built for super speed, rather than stamina. A cheetah chase usually only lasts a minute and covers about 300 metres. At full speed, cheetah take three strides a second, covering seven metres per stride with the long tail acting as a rudder. A highly flexible spine allows their body to twist and turn with ease even at high speed. Their prey usually consists of smaller antelope and mammals but on occasion they will even catch ostrich. One tenth of their prey is stolen by lions or hyaenas so they hunt during the day to reduce this impact. The distinctive black ‘tear marks’ running from its eyes are thought to help reflect the glare of the sun.
Cheetahs communicate in many ways. Some of these are through vocalizations such as purrs, bleats, barks, growls, hisses, and a high-pitched chirping sound. Another way they communicate is through scent marking and males will mark their territory by spraying urine or by cheek and chin rubbing against a tree trunk or bush. In the last 100 years, the world has lost 90% of the wild cheetah population, cheetah are now found in just 9% of their historic range with the global population is estimated at less than 8,000. The Asian cheetah population now numbers just 50 or so animals, in one isolated pocked of Iran. A reintroduction programme was initiated in India in 2022.
Cheetah kill prey daily and on private land this puts in them in conflict with stock farmers. In addition, the loss of open grasslands in Africa to thick bush due to a lack of regular fire has greatly reduced their natural habitat. The key focus is on protecting remaining wild populations through:
- Educating rural communities and farmers.
- Capture and translocation of problem animals.
- Guard dog programmes in which dogs are raised and live amongst livestock and protect them from cheetah and other predators.
Guard dog programmes have extended to several countries and conservation programmes and areas including little blue penguins being protected from cats and foxes in Victoria. Guard dogs are often not accompanied by a shepherd with all responsibility for the flock delegated to the dog. Similarly, donkeys are used to guard cattle calves from leopards.
Our Cheetahs are part of the regional zoological breeding programme. They are also a part of a global studbook held to assist manage the genetics of the global captive population. Zoos globally provide significant funding and resources for cheetah conservation programmes.
Naturally they occur in the canopies of dense humid forests in Brazil where they drink much of their water from bromeliad plants in the canopy. These tamarins are territorial and defend their area with scent markings and high-pitched squeals. Aggression includes an open mouth, an arched back, and staring. Food includes fruits, nectar, and insects but any smaller animal may be potential food. They use their long, slender fingers and hands to probe into crevices, bark, and other hiding places for insects.
They live in groups of two to eight family members consisting of a breeding pair, offspring of one or two litters and other relatives. After a gestation of about four and a half months, the female usually gives birth to twins. They cling to their mother’s fur for the first few weeks, but all members of the group will carry and care for the infants. Grooming and huddling together forms an important social function with males responsible for 70% of the grooming interactions.
Critically endangered and down to 150 individuals in the wild in 1970, intensive conservation efforts have helped the population recover. Now classified endangered species, there are about 2,500 in the wild — about a third of which are descendants of animals released from the international zoological breeding programme.
The key concern is habitat loss with only 2% of their habitat remaining in Brazil. The selective removal of large trees reduces the available roosting hollows has left them exposed to predators. A human yellow fever outbreak in 2018 infected and reduced the tamarin population by 30% in places. Scientists introduced a successful vaccination programme in 2020.
Several new populations have been re-established using tamarins bred by zoos and animals moved from unprotected wild areas. The survival rate of re-introduced animals has been encouraging, but destruction of unprotected habitat continues. Zoos globally continue to provide significant resources for the golden lion tamarin conservation programme. Our tamarins are part of the international breeding programme.
A non-for-profit has been established to help fund the conservation of the species.
Follow us @hallsgapzoo
✨️✨️✨️Fast Fact Friday✨️✨️✨️
Let`s learn about Jungle Fowl!
🐓 All domestic Chickens evolved from Jungle Fowl. Like Dogs did from Wolfs.
🐓 Junglefowls are omnivores feeding mainly on seeds, roots, fruits and invertebrates.
🐓 Jungle fowl perform a coutship behaviour known as tidbitting, in which the male will repeatedly pick up and drop food before offering it to the female.
Come down and see how many Jungle Fowl chicks you can spot. Tickets avaliable on our website now.
Merry Christmas to you all, the whole Zoo crew wish you a day filled with laughter, friends and family.
Our keepers have been working as hard as Santa’s elves by creating enrichment to share their favourite holiday traditions with their animals. How many do you recognise? 🎁🎄🍪 What’s your favourite tradition when the season rolls around?
We hope you all have a safe and happy Christmas Day with your loved ones! We will see you back at the Zoo on Boxing Day (open 10am-5pm).
#christmastraditions #animalenrichment #zoofun
Shhh… 🤫
We’ve been keeping a secret… and it’s very good at blending in 👀💚
Keepers are sooo excited to announce that our fossil cave is now home to a Chameleon and a Green Tree Python
You might not spot them straight away but trust us, they’re here and they are stunning 😍 keepers and volunteers have done an incredible job on their enclosures.
Keep your eyes peeled on your next visit✨
#hallsgapzoo #greentreepython #chameleon #newadditions
🎄We will be closed on Christmas🎄
We are open every day all year round 10am - 5pm except for Christmas Day.
Dont worry though, our keepers will still be here making christmas day just as special for our animals too! ✨️🎄🦒
#hallsgapzoo #visitgrampians #visitmelbourne #christmas
✨️✨️✨️Fast Fact Friday ✨️✨️✨️
Learn about Spotted-tailed Quolls!
🐾 Quolls are only the size of a grain of rice when they are born!
🐾 Quolls have the second stongest bite force compared to their body size of all predatory mammals after the tasmanian devil.
🐾 Quolls have quite large home ranges, travelling up to 6 kilometres a single night in search of food.
Can you spot our Spotted-tail Quolls? Give it a go today. Tickets avaliable on our website now!
#spottedtailquoll #dasyurusmaculatus #hallsgapzoo #visitgrampians #visitmelbourne
Will there be someone that chews like this at your Christams Lunch this year?
This is Shardul, thoroughly enjoying his panda mash. Lip smacking is cute, but only when animals do it.
Let us know your favourite Christmas Dish in the comments below ⬇️
#hallsgapzoo #visitgrampians #visitmelbourne #christmas #holidayseason #festiveseason
It’s a….Quokka
We are hopping with excitement to introduce Rooster our new male Quokka who has come to us as part of the breeding program.
Stay tuned for cuteness overload as Ember and Rooster start getting to know each other.
#hallsgapzoo #quokka #conservation #schoolholidays
Do you know someone who is obsessed with cheetahs? 🐆
Gift them with the perfect unforgettable experience this holiday season with a Cheetah Encounter. 🎁🎅
Head behind the scenes to get up close and personal with the fastest land animal on earth!
Experience cuteness aggression when you hear a cheetah chirp for the first time.
Book on our website now for an intimate and exclusive experience limited to two people per day on Wednesdays, Thusdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Check out these absolutely stunning shots captured by Keeper Darci 🤩🤩
#hallsgapzoo #visitgrampians #visitmelbourne #cheetah #cheetahencounter
We think Zuri is the Cutest Cat out there! Here are some of our favourite photos of her. 😻🫶
Who is your favourite animal at the zoo? Share your best pics in the comments below and tell us why!! ⬇️⬇️
#hallsgapzoo #serval #leptailurusserval #visitgrampians #visitmelbourne
✨️✨️✨️Fast Fact Friday✨️✨️✨️
Todays Fast Fact Friday is all about Green Iguanas!
🦎 Green Iguanas can voluntarily drop their tails in order to escape predators. This is known as caudual autonomy.
🦎 Green Iguanas are able to leap down from trees that are 15 meters tall without injury! Their bodys are built to absorb the shock, utilising their back legs to grab onto tree branches to lessen the fall.
🦎 Green Iguanas will extend the flap of skin underneath their chin, known as a dulap, as a form of non-verbal communication. Their dulap is used to thermoregulate, ward off predators and to impress the ladies.
Come down today to meet Shrek, our resident Green Iguana, in person. Book your tickets on our website now!
#greeniguana #iguanaiguana #hallsgapzoo #visitgrampians #visitmelbourne
The Festive Season is all about Family. Make some special memories this holidays here at Halls Gap Zoo. 👨👩👧👦👪👩👦
Explore our magical property set in the heart of the Grampians National Park where you will see many wild native species as well as over 120 different species from all around the world, ranging from our largest, the Southern White Rhino, to our smallest, Australia`s own Green Tree Frog. 🎄🎁🎅
Go to our Website to book your Tickets Now!
#hallsgapzoo #visitgrampians #visitmelbourne #christmas #holidayseason #festiveseason
✨️✨️✨️Fast Fact Friday ✨️✨️✨️
Let`s learn about Lace Monitors!
🦎 Lace monitors are the second largest lizard in Australia after the Perentie.
🦎 Lace monitors come in 2 different colour forms; standard and bells phase. Bells phase lace monitors have thick yellow and black bands.
🦎 Lace monitors lay their eggs inside termite mounds. This helps to incubate the eggs before the mother comes back to dig them up when they hatch.
Did you know that all monitors in the world are related! They are all in the same genus, Varanus. Check out three different iconic Australian Monitors here at the Zoo, the Lace Monitor, the Heath Monitor and the Largest Monitor in Australia, the Perentie!
Go to our Website to book your tickets Now!
#lacemonitor #varanusvarius #hallsgapzoo #visitgrampians #visitmelbourne
‼️Volunteer Applications Open‼️
We are looking for some passionate and enthusiastic volunteers to join the team here at Halls Gap Zoo! 🦒🦦🦘🦅🐍
Gain hands-on experience and learn from our dedicated keepers across all rounds at the Zoo (+ cuddle some cute critters)
We can`t thank our volunteers enough for all of the hard work that they do. It really makes a difference for both our keepers and animals. 🫶
We have only a few limited spots available! 18+ only.
Go to the Volunteer section on our Website to Apply Now!
#hallsgapzoo #volunteer
Did anyone tell you it’s almost December 🙀🎄🎅
Buy the kids something they’ll really remember….
Voucher available online https://hallsgapzoo.com.au/shop/gift-voucher/
#hallsgapzoo #visitmelbourne #visitgrampians
Our keepers work hard to keep our exhibits well maintained.
You, our visitors aren’t the only ones that enjoy them. Daku, one of our three male dingoes loves the smell of freshly mowed grass. 🍀🍂
Learn more about dingoes and their unique personalities in a Dingo Encounter. Head over to our website now to book your Encounter!
#hallsgapzoo #dingo #visitgrampians #visitmelbourne
You guys asked for it and here it is- a toy version of Pumba our Scottish highland bull and it’s already stealing hearts 💕
Even though Pumba is a big strong boy and we thought he would love it turns out there’s only room for one Pumba at the zoo but that’s ok this soft, squishy and full of charm replica is the perfect cuddle buddy for all cattle lovers out there.
Grab yours before they all wonder off the shelf! #hallsgapzoo #scottishhighland #grampians
FAST FACT FRIDAY
Burmese pythons:
🐍 They can get up to 5m long and over 75kg
🐍 They are great swimmers and can stay underwater for up to 30 minutes
🐍 Being pythons they do not have venom and will kill their prey by constricting them.
We have 2 Burmese Pythons here at Halls Gap Zoo and in the summer months you may be lucky enough to see us take Doug out for a walk and truly get an appreciation for his size even though he is only a tiny 35kg he still takes at least 3 keepers to carry him.
#hallsgapzoo #burmesepython
📢 Early Closure Notice
We are closing early today for staff training to help our team continue providing the best possible service to you.
The Zoo will be open from 10am until 4.15pm on the 12th November.
We will reopen at our regular hours tomorrow. Thank you for your understanding and continued support!
Treat yourself with a magical experience up close and personal with our Otters here at Halls Gap Zoo!
Tong feed our girls their lunch and learn from our experienced carnivore keepers during an Otter Encounter. If you’re lucky enough you might get the chance to hold their hands, they’re softer than you can imagine!
Book now at: https://hallsgapzoo.com.au/shop/otter-encounter/
#hallsgapzoo #otter #otterencounter #visitmelbourne #visitgrampians
A reminder that we are OPEN 10am-5pm everyday except Christmas Day.
If you are looking for a fun day out, we have animal encounters, keeper talks and our food van is open today.
See you all soon
#hallsgapzoo #zoo #grampians #publicholiday
👻🎃 Don’t let those sweet faces fool you… Our Otters have a spooky side! 😱🦦
When the lights go down, they turn into tiny water goblins sneaking, splashing and plotting their next fright for keepers!
Are they cute? Always.
Are they spooky? For keepers walking into work…everyday but for guests just enough for Halloween. 🎃
Happy Halloween from our hauntingly adorable otters!
#hallsgapzoo #halloween #booatthezoo
🌧️ Rainy Days at the Zoo 🌧️
While the rain might send most people indoors life at the zoo carries on but we are just a little soggier! ☔
Some of our animals actually enjoy a good drizzle eg. The Water Buffalo make sure the job gets done properly while others enjoy it from the comfort of their shelter.
For the zookeepers, rainy days mean a bit more mud on the boots and suddenly everyone needs to read SOP’s 🤪
They make sure everyone stays cozy and well fed and that all the shelters are snug and dry.
So even when the rain pours, there’s always plenty of life and laughter behind the scenes at the zoo!
Spring is well under way here at the Zoo with so many new cute little faces!
Pack yourself a lunch and come and enjoy the weather. See how many babies you can spot. How cute are these baby Chinese Geese Goslings and Jungle Fowl Chicks!
#hallsgapzoo #chinesegeese #junglefowl #visitgrampians #visitmelbourne #babyanimals
It’s official, the votes are in!
After much deliberation, we have agreed on the names for our new baby Indian Star Tortoises and Himalayan Tahr…
We’d like to thank everyone who commented on our recent facebook posts and joined in during the baby shower, we have loved all the suggestions.
We are delighted to introduce you to Terrance, Jharal and Marcous our Himalayan Tahr and Tortellini, Voldertort and Speedy our Indian Star Tortoises
#hallsgapzoo #startortoise #tahr #grampians
Thankyou everyone who put in suggestions to name our 3 new Star Tortoises 🌟
All our keepers are now voting and we will let you know the results soon.
#hallsgapzoo #startortoise #schoolholidayfun
🪶 Ok… who blinked and let these guys grow up so quick?! 👀
Our baby emus aren’t so little anymore and we can’t believe how fast they’ve grown, come and see them these school holidays before they loose their adorable stripes and if your lucky enough they may even come over for some food (food available at the front desk).
📸 Keeper Caroline
#hallsgapzoo #babyemus #schoolholidays #Grampians
🐾🎉 It’s International Red Panda Day and what better way to celebrate than by booking an encounter to meet one our very own dynamic duo!
With fluffy tails, little paws, and endless charm, our Red Pandas are ready to steal your heart (and maybe a snack or two). 🌟💕
Trust us when we say this is one encounter you will not forget.
#hallsgapzoo #encounter #redpanda #schoolholidays #experiences
Beautiful spring day the animals are loving the morning sun.
If your friend chews this loud, it’s annoying… but when a lemur does it, it’s the cutest thing ever. 💕🙊 #hallsgapzoo #lemur
Say hello to our newest additions.
We recently welcomed 3 new young Tahr who have settled in well with our 2 older boys. Aren’t they just adorable? 🥰
They are still yet to be named so if you have a suggestion leave a comment below 👇
#hallsgapzoo #tahr #newanimals
🌧️ Father’s Day is almost here! While the forecast is looking a little gloomy for Sunday, why not make the most of the sunshine beforehand and plan your visit for Saturday? ☀️🐾
Bring Dad along for an adventure at the zoo this weekend it’s the perfect way to spend quality time together before the weather turns.
And if you’re still looking for the ultimate gift, our animal encounters make an unforgettable present that Dad will never forget. 🦏🦒🐆🐍
🎟️ Book your encounters now and give Dad a wild experience this Father’s Day!
#hallsgapzoo #fathersday #familyday #encounter #presentfordad
How amazing is it that we get to inspire the next generation of zookeepers, it is a good reminder that the love for animals and conservation starts early.
Don’t they look the part all dressed up for book week at school 🥰
Check out our Zoo Keeper for a day program to see what a day looks like for our Zookeepers and get up close to a range of different species.
#minikeepers #hallsgapzoo
🐾 Ever wondered what it’s really like to be a zookeeper? 🦓🦒🐒
Now’s your chance!
Drop your questions for our amazing zookeepers in the comments below ⬇️
They’ll be answering everything from fun animal facts to what a day in the life of a keeper looks like.
What have you always wanted to know?
We will video our keepers answering your questions and post it in the coming weeks.
Nothing but sunshine all weekend long ☀️
Now is the time to get to the zoo and see the adorable Emu chicks before they grow any bigger (it happens way too fast).
#hallsgapzoo #emubabies #grampians
Polo puts the cheeky into cheeky monkey 🙈 #hallsgapzoo #capuchin
It’s International Golden Lion Tamarin day 🎉
Today we celebrate such amazing creatures that we are so lucky to be able to work with.
#hallsgapzoo #goldenliontamarin #internationalgoldenliontamarinday
✨✨✨FAST FACT FRIDAY✨✨✨
🐊Saltwater crocodiles can grow up to 7m in length and weigh over 1,000kg 😱
🐊These guys are ambush predators and will patiently wait for the right time to strike they can hold their breath for hours underwater.
🐊Only 1% of hatchlings will make it to adulthood
Remember to be crocwise when in croc country
#hallsgapzoo #saltwatercrocs #becrocwise
How good was that rain?? Our dams are actual dams and no longer holes in the ground BUT this weekend is looking to be nothing but gorgeous winter sunshine 🌞 the animals are sure to be out and about sunning themselves so pop in and say hello maybe even book that encounter you’ve been wanting to do and enjoy spending the day out of the house as we all know that sunshine + animals= The perfect day
Book now via our website (link in our bio)
#hallsgapzoo #encounters #grampians
Everything’s better when we’re together 💜
#hallsgap #hallsgapzoo #visitvic
Kingston clearly isn’t paying the hay bills 🤑🤑
He sure does love a good hay hat and I have to say we think he looks quite handsome.
#hay #rhino #visitmelbourne #encounter
✨✨✨FAST FACT FRIDAY✨✨✨
Brush Tailed Rock Wallaby:
🦘 As the name would suggest, these wallabies live in shrubbed areas close to rocks and cliffs, which they will escape to when hiding from predators.
🦘The southern brush-tailed rock wallaby is critically endangered. Victoria has roughly 50 individuals left in the wild. In 2008 a few individuals were reintroduced back into the wild in the Grampians National Park and are closely monitored.
🦘Brush-tailed rock wallabies live in groups with one male and many females. When a male joey is born, it will live with the group until maturity and then disperse to find a new group.
We have 10 Brush Tailed Rock Wallabies here at Halls Gap Zoo and they are amazing at hiding in their rocky habitat try to spot them all next time you are visiting.
Just a reminder that our food van is open everyday of the school holidays from 10am-2pm, grab your coffee or hot chocolate to sip on and keep you warm on these winter days as you walk around the zoo.
#coffee #schoolholidays #zoo #animals #encounters #grampians #glowfestival
